You can bring a useful external view as to what patients may need or expect in terms of the availability, accessibility and range of pharmaceutical services in different areas.

The Pharmaceutical Services Regulations Committee plays an important role in considering applications and choosing pharmacy services to meet the needs of the local population.As a volunteer lay committee member for NHS England Wessex, with a vote, you will contribute to making these decisions. You can bring a useful external view as to what patients may need or expect in terms of the availability, accessibility and range of pharmaceutical services in different areas. You can help the committee look at how the interests of the pharmacy applicants and objectors are balanced. Your role will help ensure that decisions are made in the interests of patients and the health service.

What does it involve?The committee usually (but not always) meets monthly for up to two hours. You will also need to read the papers in advance, which could take up to two hours. There are also some decisions that are made by email between meetings where appropriate. You may be asked to occasionally attend some training.

What support will you be offered?This voluntary role requires skills, expertise, time commitment, public accountability and involvement in decision-making so is deemed to be a Patient & Public Voice Expert Adviser role for which you will be paid an involvement payment. The involvement payments (which include preparation time) can be:

£150 per full day, or

£75 per half day

It is anticipated that half a day will cover the requirements of most meetings, however if there is a long agenda and associated papers, payment for up to a full day will be agreed.

Out-of-pocket expenses (in particular travel expenses) will also be reimbursed.We will offer you training to undertake the role. There is a training day in London on the 18th October that would provide an early opportunity to learn from the experience of the appeals unit. The Pharmacy Contracts Manager will be attending and would be there to support you if you can attend.

The Pharmacy Contracts Manager will be your contact point and they and the Wessex Voices Project Manager can also help support you settle into and support you in this role.There is already one lay member who sits on the Committee and we are looking for a second so that we can ensure that all meetings are covered. There may be opportunities to share experience and knowledge with the existing lay member.

What happens next?If you are interested in this role please contact Julia Booth, Pharmacy Contracts Manager for more information and a role description and person specification. If you are interested in getting involved you will be invited for an informal discussion so you can further explore role, ask any questions and to talk about how you meet the person specification.This discussion will inform the selection for the role.​More informationPlease contact Julia to express an interest by phone 07584 277315 or email julia.booth@nhs.net